Credentials
🚀 Digital Innovation | 🎭 Creative Industries & Talent Development | 🤝 Collaboration & Partnerships | 📚 Curriculum Development & Education Strategy | 📊 Data-Informed, People-Focused, and Inspirational Leadership
Experience
20 Years Experience
20 years of leadership experience in education, skills development, and workforce training, with a strong focus on innovation, digital transformation, and strategic growth
Senior Leadership
6 years in senior leadership, delivering large-scale projects, building high performing teams, and driving operational excellence.
Executive Leadership
5 years working at Trust level as part of an executive leadership team (and most recently an academy Principal), leading organisational strategy, growth & diversification, financial planning, and stakeholder, industry and community engagement at the highest level.
NB: Logos displayed here represent some of the organisations I have contributed to during my recent career, and remain the intellectual property of their respective owners.
Background
With over 20 years of leadership experience spanning education (FE and Academies), workforce development, and the creative industries, Mike dedicated has his career to driving innovation, digital transformation, and strategic growth. Most recently, as Principal at a leading Stage and Screen Production College in Birmingham UK (and as part of the executive leadership team for an Academy Trust), I played a pivotal role in developing a cutting-edge talent pipeline for the stage and screen industries in the West Midlands, forging strong partnerships with leading industry players and equipping the next generation of creative professionals with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving landscape.
During his career in education Mike successfully established and grew institutions that bridged the gap between education and industry, ensuring that students were not only trained in world-class facilities but also connected with real-world opportunities in the arts, film, television, theatre, and live events. Mike's work has directly contributed to making the West Midlands a hub for emerging creative talent, helping to drive investment, employment, and innovation in the sector.
Currently, as founder of Painter & Partners Ltd, and a Creative & Digital Strategy Advisor, Mike is combining his passion for the arts and creative industries with my expertise in curriculum, technology, digital transformation, and strategic innovation to help businesses and education providers forge meaningful connections with each-other. Specialising in partnership development, digital technology, data analytics, curriculum design, and creative content production, Mike work's with organisations to craft future-proof strategies that empower talent, enhance digital engagement, and drive sustainable growth.
Whether collaborating with education providers, creative institutions, digital start-ups, or major industry players, Mike is committed to blending creativity with cutting-edge technology to unlock new partnerships, opportunities and inspire innovation. Let’s connect and collaborate on transformative projects that empower talent and shape the future of the creative industries.
“A lifelong learner with a diverse skill set, dedicated to excellence and using his expertise to inspire, develop, and empower others to achieve remarkable success.”
“An established leader who brings creativity and innovation to his work. Mike is strategically minded and excels at seeing the big picture when developing plans for the future. “
Specialist Expertise
Industry Expertise & Market Insight
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In-depth knowledge of the Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Industries, including trends, audience engagement, and commercial opportunities.
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Specialist expertise in popular music production, content creation, and digital distribution
Regulatory & Compliance Expertise
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Post-16 education legislation (FE & Academies) – Compliance, governance, and funding structures (with potential commercial applications in corporate training and skills development)
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Policy design & implementation – Advising on industry regulations, safeguarding, and operational frameworks
Data-Driven Decision Making
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Deep knowledge of assessment, analytics, and business intelligence to improve operational efficiency and customer engagement.
Business Growth & Organisational Development
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Change management & growth mindset Implementing strategies for innovation, adaptability, and workforce transformation
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Leadership & workforce development Training and coaching professionals for performance improvement and succession planning
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Strategic planning & impact analysis Driving business growth through data-led decision-making
Creative Industries & Digital Transformation
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Expertise in the arts, media, and entertainment sectors, with a proven ability to harness digital technologies for business and audience growth.
Music & Content Production Expertise
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Hands-on experience in popular music production, digital media, and content creation, with an understanding of the commercial landscape and monetization strategies.
Technology & Digital Transformation
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Edu-Tech & digital learning solutions Leveraging technology for training, skills development, and workforce upskilling
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AI & automation in business Understanding emerging tech applications in creative, marketing, and operational sectors
Strategic Leadership in Education & Skills Development
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Extensive experience designing and implementing learning, training, and assessment strategies that drive performance and ROI in both academic and corporate settings.